The hardy D3D4 correspondents were out in the early October evening air for tonights mid-week fixtures…have a read of their reports below:

MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United 0-1 Grimsby Town

A much-improved Grimsby got their first win in eight and inflicted a second home defeat in four days for Carlisle as a Luke Hendrie strike made in the difference in a dire affair.

A chilly Brunton Park was without many regular fans as the attendance was low (even by recent standards) but Carlisle also had striker Richie Bennett missing for this one while the travelling Grimsby contingent made their voices heard all night as their team made six changes.

It was end-to-end stuff in the opening stages and both sides missed big chances; the most prominent being when Macauley Gillesphey played a poor back-pass and Charles Vernam latched onto the ball but Adam Collin charged out to make an impressive save, keeping the hosts from conceding early against a visiting side who have significant lacked goals this campaign.

A scare came for the Cumbrians when firstly JJ Hooper somehow failed to convert a header late in the first half but once the ball sailed wide, stopper Collin needed treatment and with no goalkeeper on the bench John Sheridan and his coaching staff looked nervous.

Jamie Devitt then hit the deck (for the second time) and was substituted for Adam Campbell after Alexander Whitmore clattered the Irishman a few minute prior.

That clearly knocked confidence and the Mariners capitalised quickly. Despite making a good initial save, the away side finally beat Collin and took the lead as 24 year-old left back Hendrie finished inside the penalty area – following some good play to slice open the home defence on the left.

A struggling Grimsby were good value for their lead at half-time but Carlisle were in dire need of some goalscorer quality.

From the start of the second half until the closing stages, the hosts dominated but their poor decision making made life easy for the visitors. A gilt edged chance arrived when Gillesphey was free at the near post on a corner and his effort hit the far post but the goalmouth scramble that ensued was eventually stopped by the referee’s whistle for a high-foot.

Wave after wave of Cumbrians attacks were easily dealt with by the Mariners and in spite of Liam McCarron and Mike Jones entering the fray, the forward play was consistently disappointing with no clear plan.

The full-time whistle blew to the delight of Grimsby but dismay of Carlisle as the visitors rise to 22nd while the hosts drop to 13th place.

Referee: Martin Coy

Home star man: Anthony Gerrard

Away star man: Danny Collins

Attendance: 3360 (143)

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Cheltenham Town 2-2 Morecambe

Duff Performance from Varney…

Morecambe travelled to Whaddon Road in Gloucestershire tonight following two straight wins which have pushed them into seventeenth position in League Two. This put them two places ahead of tonight’s hosts who – conversely – have lost both of their last two league games. The head-to-head record between Cheltenham and Morecambe easily favours the Robins, who have beaten the Shrimps nine times out of eighteen previous encounters, losing just four.

Ulsterman Michael Duff – poached from Burnley’s Under-23’s management team less than a month ago – has still to experience victory as the Robins’ boss. In an attempt to sharpen the Robins’ attack, tonight’s game saw the home debut of much-travelled striker Luke Varney. Could he help to end the new Manager’s duck in League Two?

The first half was not much to write home about with the home team probably shading things and Barry Roche in the Shrimps’ net the busier of the two goalkeepers during the first half hour. But with thirty-two minutes played, the visitors took the lead. Of all people, ex-Cheltenham defender Jordan Cranston – making a rare start for his new team – managed to squeeze a shot from an acute angle past Scott Flinders in the home goal. Varney had the next strike of any note and it wasn’t too far away but this happened after an injury to Morecambe key central defender Steven Old which forced him to leave the field with just 34 minutes on the clock. The debutant came close again after 41 minutes, forcing a fairly routine save from Big Baz with a header. But he finally hit the mark with a strike from close range just before half time following a header which set him up to score from strike partner Tyrone Barnett. So the first period ended level but with the visitors missing a key defender.

Against all odds, though, the visitors went ahead again after 54 minutes. Rhys Oates scored Morecambe’s equaliser against Grimsby last Saturday and he found the net again tonight after replacing Old in the first half. Lamine Jagne set him up for a shot from just outside the penalty area which beat Flinders to put the Lancashire team back into the lead. Jagne was instrumental a few minutes later when he was adjudged to have fouled Johnny Mullins from a corner after almost an hour. But star striker Barnett blasted his effort from the penalty spot over the bar and was promptly replaced as the Shrimps survived the scare. As the match wore on, the visitors started to make the better chances. Flinders denied Vadaine Oliver with ten minutes scheduled to play and Tom Field did brilliantly to stop Oates scoring his own second goal just a minute later. Roche had his hands warmed by a shot from substitute George Lloyd after 85 minutes. It looked like Morecambe were about to win their third game in a row until it all went wrong in the fourth minute of added-on time. New boy Varney scored his second of the night with a shot low past Big Baz to break the hearts of the forty loyal Shrimps fans watching on.

However, that’s three games unbeaten in a row for Jim Bentley and his team. More importantly perhaps, that’s six goals scored as well, four of them on the road. A point away from home is no small achievement and I’ve no doubt that the Shrimps’ boss would have settled for that before the game started. With Macclesfield drawing and Grimsby and Notts County winning elsewhere tonight, it was all-change at the bottom with Cambridge replacing the Mariners in the relegation positions. The draw leaves Morecambe in eighteenth place going into Saturday’s match against Tranmere, who beat leaders Lincoln on Merseyside this evening.

Cheltenham: 1 Scott Flinders; 23 Jordan Foster; 5 Johnny Mullins (C): 15 Will Boyce; 27 Tom Field (28 Kelsey Mooney 82 mins); 6 Nigel Atangana; 26 Chris Clements; 8 Kevin Dawson (3 Chris Hussey 68 mins); 20 Jacob Maddox; 32 Luke Varney; 29 Tyrone Barnett (19 George Lloyd 69 mins).

Subs not used: 22 Rhys Lovett; 4 Ben Tozer; 21 Aden Baldwin; 24 Kalvin Kalala.

Morecambe: 1 Barry Roche (C); 2 Zak Mills; 16 Sam Lavelle; 3 Luke Conlan; 14 Josef Yarney; 5 Steven Old (18 Rhys Oates 34 mins); 20 Lamine Jagne (6 Andrew Tutte 59 mins); 14 Liam Mandeville; 27 Jordan Cranston; 28 A-Jay Leitch-Smith (11 Kevin Ellison 78 mins) ; 9 Vadaine Oliver.

Subs not used: 21 Mark Halstead; 19 Carlos Mendes-Gomes; 12 Jason Oswell; 25 Ben Hedley.

Ref: Neil Hair.

2095 (40 from Morecambe)

words Roger Fitton, D3D4 Morecambe correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Sunderland 2-2 Peterborough United

I’m writing this report 15 minutes after the final whistle at the Stadium of Light so forgive me if this sounds like it was written by an angry, red-faced 50 year old bloke who shouts at strikers even when they score and thinks anything other than a flat 4-4-2 is ‘foreign rubbish’.

This was by far the biggest game of our season so far, and a real opportunity for us to prove our metal against the team in second, and the league’s top scorers, Peteborough.

1 win in 5 was tough reading for some fans and the wait for the team to properly click was becoming longer and longer, with the team’s failure to close off the game against Coventry last saturday being a particular kick to the teeth, but the signs of a title-challenging team were there for all to see, and I personally predicted that this would be the game where we’d prove ourselves as the real deal and really kickstart the season into life.

It certainly wouldn’t be easy, given the injuries sustained last weekend, coupled with Cattermole’s suspension, giving Jack Ross a big decision to make with the starting XI.

First Half

The opening 5-10 minutes were exactly as any neutrals would have predicted before kickoff, with both teams being lively from the off, with a few half chances going both ways and Peterborough going closest with a Jason Cummings shot going wide of the Sunderland post. The opposition certainly looked like they could cause problems going forward as they were breaking fast when given the opportunity, but the calmness of Baldwin and Flanagan kept them at bay in the opening exchanges. Sunderland themselves played some lovely football, with Sinclair battling to win every ball, Maguire being as dangerous as ever, and Aiden McGeady, who was being given his first league start of the season, illustrating exactly why it was so key for Sunderland to keep him in the summer by linking up with Oviedo down the left to make a few lovely moves.

After 20 minutes of Sunderland pressing and Peteborough threatening on the break, it was that man Josh Maja who struck first blood after cutting inside the Peterborough defence before dispatching a coolly taken finish into the bottom corner, an area of the goal he seems to love finding so far this season, to give him his 8th goal of the season and put Sunderland into the lead.

When Lee Cattermole found the net against Coventry last weekend, they hit back at us with sustained pressure until they eventually grabbed an equaliser, but tonight it was a different story, as the goal seemed to spur us on to try and get the all-important second and make amends for dropping 2 points last time out by killing the game off when we had the chance. Sunderland then played the best half of football we’ve seen from them so far this season, putting together some 70’s Brazil-esque moves to push for the second goal, with McGeady, Sinclair and Maguire all going close, but without the 70’s Brazil-esque finishing.

Half Time Thoughts

An exhilirating half of football from Sunderland’s perspective saw them go into the break in the ascendancy, the only issues being the fact they weren’t 2/3 goals up, as well as the ref’s performance being highly questionable to say the least. This was not the last time the refereeing would be called into question during the match.

Peterborough had had a couple of good attacking moves, and were probably pleased to go into half-time only being 1-0 down, as it could’ve been a lot worse for the Posh but for a lack of clinical finishing from their opposition. Certainly not performing like a team 2nd in the table at the start of play.

Second Half

Peterborough boss Steve Evans made a clear statement of intent when he replaced Cooke and Dembele with Ward and Maddison, indicating he was less than impressed with his side’s first half performance. The second half was set up to be a corker, with Peterborough improving and threatening Sunderland’s goal more, forcing Mclaughlin into a few good saves early in the second half, Sunderland still on the hunt for that illusive second goal, and it very much felt like the next goal would be crucial.

Either side could have got the goal, with Peterborough pressing and pressing in search of an equaliser, and were arguably in the driving seat, though it was still a close-run affair with both sides having chances to pounce.

Then, a moment of madness, as Oviedo lost the ball when attacking down the right and stupidly kicked out at the opposition player, giving the referee no option but to send him off. This was, incidentally, the only decision he got right all game, as he seemed to be focused on penalising Sinclair for daring to win the ball, and even giving free-kicks against him when he himself was fouled. This must have occurred 6-7 times throughout the match, and demonstrated the very poor quality of the officiating in this league (Ok, that’s my one bit of ranting over! For now anyway.)

Stupid from Oviedo, who now gave his team 20 minutes to hang on with 10 men.

One thing we couldn’t put down to refereeing however, was the Boro goal on 74 minutes, with substitute Joe Ward firing low into the bottom left hand corner, just as Maja had done in the first half, to draw level and put his side in the driving seat going into the final 15 minutes. A well taken goal now meant Peterborough probably fancied themselves to go on and take all 3 points.

That was until a massive kick from Mclaughlin was taken down beautifully by Ronald- ,Maguire sorry, who sped down the right flank and crossed the ball low to Jerome Sinclair’s feet, who turned beautifully and fired the ball into the roof of the net to put his side back in the lead, somewhat against the run of play.

2 goals in 5 minutes meant it was to a nervy final 10 minutes for Jack Ross’ side, who could’ve risen to 3rd with a win, and put themselves in the mix along with Peterborough and Portsmouth, but it meant holding a 1 goal, which has proved to be difficult for Sunderland already this season.

It would do again too, as Ivan Toney latched onto a Maddison cross to finish low to Mclaughlin’s right and peg Sunderland back yet again, meaning both substitutes introduced by Evans at half time had a hand in a goal, and Peterborough looked as if they may have snatched a point, but you got the feeling the game maybe had another goal in it.

6 minutes of added time yielded no more goals however, as the game finished 2-2 and made it 1 win in 6 for Jack Ross’s side, with both teams exhibiting a good attacking display to provide an entertaining game and keep Sunderland and Peterborough exactly where they were in the table, and despite awful refereeing and frustrating behaviour from Bryan Oviedo, you get the feeling both sides would, in time, be happy with the point.

Full Time Thoughts

From my perspective, this was easily the most infuriating game I have witnessed all season. Despite playing some of our best football in the first half, we couldn’t seem to get that all important second goal, which is becoming a problem for our team, and if we want to be anywhere near the top come May, we must become better at being able to kill games off. The stupidity from Oviedo definitely cost us, and who knows what we would’ve done had he stayed on the field. That is without mentioning the worst refereeing performance I’ve seen at a Sunderland match since the days of Kevin Friend (SAFC fans will know what I mean with that one), with seemingly every touch between players being given as a foul, and chrouses of “You’re not fit to referee” coming from the home fans indicating just what they thought of him at full time. Blaming the referee only gets you so far though, and we did have chances to kill the game off before half time, so blaming anyone other than ourselves isn’t really the route to go down.

In terms of the opposition, they grew into the game in the second half and battled for the point. It is clear to see why they are near the top in the first 11 games, and they always looked as if they may pull something out of the bag when they approached our penalty area, and I feel they’ll be travelling back down to Peterborough happy they came away with a point in the end, though that is probably a fair result.

It’s now 1 win in 6 for Sunderland, which makes for grim reading for the promotion-hopefuls. Peterborough stay second, 3 points behind Portsmouth who remain unbeaten at the top.

Player Ratings:

McLaughlin: 8/10 – Couldn’t do much about either goal, but was very assured tonight, pulling out some great stops to make sure we got the point. It’s a breath of fresh air to have someone who can save shots at his near post again.

Matthews: 7.5/10 – Thought he put in a good shift tonight, even looking dangerous when linking up with Maguire going forward, and should be happy with his performance tonight. 2nd assist in as many games for the lad. Tidy.

Flanagan: 8.5/10 – Flirting with a 9 for his shift tonight. Put in a cracking performance filling in for Loovens and staked a real claim to start ahead of Loovens even when he returns from injury. Cleared practically everything that came his way tonight. Rock.

Baldwin: 8/10 – Jackenbauer.

Oviedo: 1/10 – If I could give the lad 0 I would, put in a fairly good performance before his moment of madness which probably cost us 3 points in the end. Been singing his praises all season but can’t be having him getting needlessly sent off in the biggest game yet.

Power: 7.5/10 – So glad to have him back, was solid in the midfield tonight and alongside Cattermole should be an absolute force. Name says it all.

McGeouch: 7.5/10 – Same as power really, passed well and was nothing more or less than solid all game. Been poor recently but did well tonight.

McGeady: 7/10 – Was always a threat down the right but feel as if he lacked the end product we all know he can produce. 7 may be harsh but he’s better than what he showed tonight.

Maguire: 8.5/10 – We got this man for free. FREE. Cracking again tonight, got himself an assist and was our biggest threat going forward. Boss.

Maja: 6.5/10 – Thought he was pretty poor tonight despite his goal. He hasn’t been brilliant performance-wise this season but you can’t deny his record. Joint top-scorer in the league speaks for itself.

Sinclair: 7.5/10 – He’d probably have run through a brick wall for us tonight. Really impressed me and took his first goal for us very well. Only reason his rating isn’t higher is because the ref seemed to penalise him the most out of any of our players, meaning he couldn’t perform to the best of his ability. Lookign forward to seeing more from him and Maja up front.

Subs:

James: 7/10 – Did a solid job of filling in for Oviedo and looks like he’ll be spending at least the next 3 games at left back.

Kimpioka: 6/10 – Didn’t have enough time to do anything but made up for him to get his first appearance for us. Not the last we’ve seen of him.

words Alex Gardner, D3D4 Sunderland correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Coventry City 0-1 Portsmouth

After the entertaining match on Saturday verses Sunderland up popped up another tasty encounter on a Tuesday night as high flyers Pompey rode into town. They are always well backed by noisy supporters and they certainly didn’t disappoint as their fans got behind their team, with that bloke with his bell clanging away non-stop!
So the atmosphere was good and the Sky Blues fans also made some noise, so was the game as entertaining as Saturdays match?

In a word I’d say yes. As once again both sides passed the ball about well, and at times it looked more like Championship football than a League One fixture. The first half was close and we should have taken the lead when Jonson Clarke- Harris missed a golden chance, but it was Pompey who went one up just before the half time whistle through a goal by Curtis.

The second half was edged I thought by the City but once again we just don’t know how to score goals, the build-up play is good but with only a measly 8 goals so far from 11 games, you do start to think where are they going to come from ? The visitors have netted 21 times, and Peterborough a whopping 28 goals, so after 11 matches we should be netting more from our attacking play.

It’s good to see our tricky winger Jodi Jones back to near full fitness as he is a quality player, but without a 20 goal a season striker in our team I feel we’ll see a lot more games when we dominate for long periods but leave the field empty handed.

I really like Conor Chaplin and am pleased we’ve got him, but can he bang in loads of goals for us? I really do hope so but at the moment he seems lacking in confidence when it comes to sticking them away, but he’s not been here long so fingers crossed he can do the business soon.

But other than our goal shortage I do like the way we play the game, and we have shown we can go head to head with the better sides in our division, so after eleven games I’m not worried or anxious but as Marc McNulty is not doing anything at Reading, could the powers that be try and get him back here? I expect the answer to that would be no chance but strange things happen in football, so you must never know.

Finally well done the Pompey supporters for creating a good atmosphere last night, but is the ringing in my ears due to the bell ringer!

words Kevin Halls, D3D4 Coventry City correspondent